Why is the Realme 16 pro series more expensive than before? Realme’s Francis Wong answers.

The recent unveiling of Realme's 16 Pro series has sparked considerable discussion, primarily focused on its pricing rather than its specifications or features. Many attendees at the launch were taken aback by the increased prices, which surpassed earlier expectations. While the new devices are packed with impressive camera capabilities, substantial battery life, and robust processors, the audience's enthusiasm seemed muted when it came to the cost. The Realme 16 Pro has been introduced at a price point of Rs 31,999 for the 8GB RAM + 128GB storage variant, while the 16 Pro+ is set at Rs 39,999 for the same storage configuration. This led to a series of inquiries about the rationale behind these higher prices. To gain clarity, we spoke with Francis Wong, Head of Product Marketing at Realme, who provided valuable insights. In response to concerns about the significant price increase over its predecessor, Wong emphasized that the Realme 16 Pro series will still be viewed as an 'affordable premium' offering once competitors launch their mid-range devices. He pointed out a broader industry trend: smartphones released in 2026 will generally cost more than similar models from 2025 due to rising component expenses. Wong highlighted that Samsung has raised prices for key memory components by up to 60%, while Apple has encountered a staggering 230% increase in the cost of 12GB RAM for its flagship models. Despite some familiar specifications in the 16 Pro series, Wong noted that the smartphone experience today is defined by the overall user experience rather than individual components. The 16 Pro series is designed to provide a premium experience, showcasing meaningful advancements in areas such as camera quality, design, and AI features. While some consumers may initially perceive the prices as steep, Wong believes that as competitors enter the market with higher pricing, the value proposition of the 16 Pro series will become evident. When asked about the performance of the processor with the base RAM of 8GB, Wong assured that it would meet user expectations. He stated that the processor, memory, and Realme UI 7 have been finely tuned to ensure that even the base model delivers a seamless experience, supporting multitasking, gaming, and various AI functionalities efficiently. Wong acknowledged that the rising costs of memory are a significant factor in the price increase, alongside the growing demand for advanced AI and camera systems, which are now essential to the smartphone experience. He highlighted the innovations in the 16 Pro series, such as the introduction of a 200MP+ periscope camera and upgrades to the popular AI Edit Genie feature, underscoring Realme's commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology to its users.